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Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

lemonde.fr

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Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#21

Post by the_mitsuhiko »

jfoster wrote: post #5
emteycz wrote: post #2

Don't let this make you think this is a general feature of electric buses. There is an electric bus fleet (at least 20 buses, probably more) in Hradec Kralove, CZ for 5+ years now and it has never caught fire - and it's always the best bus ride I ever had, and it's also much better for the city environment (I mean loudness and smell)...

Here's an article (+video) about a non-electric bus that caught fire. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-12/cctv-captures-sydney-...

More importantly buses catch on fire in Rome regularly and they are not electric.

Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#22

Post by boppo1 »

Glawen wrote: post #10
emteycz wrote: post #2

Don't let this make you think this is a general feature of electric buses. There is an electric bus fleet (at least 20 buses, probably more) in Hradec Kralove, CZ for 5+ years now and it has never caught fire - and it's always the best bus ride I ever had, and it's also much better for the city environment (I mean loudness and smell)...

Except that it is next to impossible to stop a fully charged battery fire. The most efficient way is to throw the vehicle in a pool of water. But even if you manage this feat, the battery can catch fire again once remove from water.

'Bout the same with a gasoline tank, no?

Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#24

Post by kkfx »

In the past we have had electric bus with electricity coming from an aerial network, surely they have some limits, but they are the sole logic design for a city. A small battery just to emergency maneuver but nothing more.

It's FAR cheaper and it's already proved they can last 50+ years without much maintenance.

Batteries are meaningful for cars and trucks waiting for some aerial electrical network like starting from highways, so again we need smaller batteries just to being able to travel on 100Km (~60+miles) ranges.

Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#25

Post by sjg007 »

ageitgey wrote: post #15

Don't take this as an indictment of all electric buses. London has over 500 electric buses (out of 9,000). A lot of the buses in my neighborhood are the new electric double-decker ones and it's extremely nice. They are quieter, run smoother, don't polute the air, and have cool features like USB charging at every seat. It is like riding in a Tesla - just an obviously better bus experience. It will just take some time…

This is just great! Now they need electric taxis. Hopefully the end of the black snot!

Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#26

Post by rzzzt »

legulere wrote: post #13
ranger_danger wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All motorized vehicles can catch fire.

I guess you could design trams or electric trains that cannot catch fire. Without fuel and batteries you do not need to have that much flammable things on board.

Plastic trim, seat and seat covers, liners, floors are all flammable, insulation on wiring, lots of stuff. An all-stainless steel interior would be very amusing, though.

Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#27

Post by breakfastduck »

sjg007 wrote: post #25
ageitgey wrote: post #15

Don't take this as an indictment of all electric buses. London has over 500 electric buses (out of 9,000). A lot of the buses in my neighborhood are the new electric double-decker ones and it's extremely nice. They are quieter, run smoother, don't polute the air, and have cool features like USB charging at every seat. It is like riding in a Tesla - just an obviously better bus experience. It will just take some time…

This is just great! Now they need electric taxis. Hopefully the end of the black snot!

Where I live (UK town) our biggest local taxi firm has an app and an entirely electric fleet. So we're getting there!

Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#28

Post by breakfastduck »

tromp wrote: post #4

> the company says the buses are "fitted with a new generation of batteries... with high energy density and optimal safety" spread around the roof and rear of the vehicle. Placing batteries in the floor makes perfect sense for lowering the centre of gravity; why would you want to spread them to the roof (which is where the video shows the fire erupting) ?

No post body was provided.

Re: Paris suspends electric bus fleet after two fires

#29

Post by goodpoint »

kkfx wrote: post #24

In the past we have had electric bus with electricity coming from an aerial network, surely they have some limits, but they are the sole logic design for a city. A small battery just to emergency maneuver but nothing more. It's FAR cheaper and it's already proved they can last 50+ years without much maintenance. Batteries are meaningful for cars and trucks waiting for some aerial electrical network like starting from…

Even better: trams and light rail. Smoother ride and no particulate from tyres.
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